The Cincinnati Reds have been really aggressive in the trade market and free agency with the idea of fixing up the pitching staff. The Reds have not brought in any players for the field that have a good chance of making the team this spring as of yet. The Reds paid a big price player wise for righty starting pitcher Mat Latos, but he gives them a legit #1 or #2 starter at the right price cash wise. The Reds also rebuilt the back end of the bullpen when they signed righty Ryan Madson to replace Francisco Cordero as the closer and they dealt for lefty Sean Marshall to serve as the set-up man. The Reds also claimed righty reliever Josh Judy off waivers from the Indians and they also have signed lefty relievers Ron Mahay and Clay Zavada to compete for jobs in the pen this spring. I really like the moves the Reds have made to tighten up the pitching staff for the 2012 season.

The Reds have signed 40-year old lefty reliever Ron Mahay to a minor league deal. Mahay pitched in 24 games (0 starts) in A+AAA-ball last year and he was 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Twins. Mahay has pitched in 514 games (3 starts) in his first 14 years in the majors and he is 27-12 with 4 saves, a 3.83 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Mahay will have a good shot to make the Reds’ bullpen this spring if he has anything left in the gas tank.

The Reds have signed 27-year old lefty reliever Clay Zavada to a minor league deal. Zavada pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 3-2 with 2 saves, a 3.43 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the Diamondbacks. Zavada pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs in 2009 and he was 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He will have a good shot of making the Reds’ bullpen this spring.